The Highlanders are making a return to Queenstown next year but have ruled out playing a home game in the North Island.
The franchise has a tough draw to start the competition, taking on the Crusaders and then the Blues, before embarking on a three-match trip to South Africa.
The draw for next year's Super 14 was released late yesterday and features derby games in the opening round, with the Highlanders taking on the Crusaders in Christchurch on February 13.
The Blues will play the Hurricanes in Auckland while the Reds will take on the Waratahs in Brisbane.
In South Africa, the Bulls play the Cheetahs while the Lions meet the Stormers.
Queenstown missed out this year due to a scheduling conflict but will host the match between the Highlanders and the Force on April 10, with the game played in the afternoon.
Invercargill hosts the match between the Waratahs and Highlanders on April 30.
The competition is set to change in 2011, increasing to 15 teams, and due to have a later starting date.
Next year's competition starts on February 12.
Dunedin will play host to a one-day cricket international at the University Oval on February 8, and the rugby season will kick off just five days later.
Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid said they had come to an arrangement with Queenstown officials over the hosting of a game next year.
He said the franchise was keen to get back to Queenstown, and had come to a commercial arrangement with Queenstown officials.
Invercargill had two games this season, but loses one game to Queenstown next season.
Reid said the franchise had a look at moving a home game to the North Island, and there was interest from North Island unions, but had decided to keep the games within the franchise.
"It was easier to do last year with seven home games and then we also had four in a row so it made sense to move one of those," he said.
"But next season is a bit more limited with just the six home games which are more spread out."
Dunedin will host four games, against the Blues, Hurricanes, Lions and Sharks, with the first game in Dunedin against the Blues on February 19.
Straight after that the Highlanders venture to Africa to play the Cheetahs, Stormers and Bulls.
The Highlanders did not travel to South Africa until late in the competition this year and coach Glenn Moore had wanted to get to the republic earlier in the competition to build on combinations and team morale.
The side will have its first look at Mt Maunganui next year when it takes on the Chiefs.
The side will get a bye in round 10, the final team along with the Waratahs to get a rest.
Last season, the bye came right in the middle of the competition after the side had thumped eventual champions the Bulls in Palmerston North, and the Highlanders lost much of their momentum.
The teams for the 2010 season may be named slightly lately than normal as the Air New Zealand Cup is longer with two more rounds.
Reid said teams would not assemble till later in December, and will have a shorter pre-season.
Highlanders
Draw for 2010
Crusaders, Christchurch, 7.35pm, Saturday February 13
Blues, Dunedin, 7.35pm, Friday February 19
Cheetahs, Bloemfentein, 4.05am (NZ time), Sunday February 28
Stormers, Cape Town, 4.05am (NZ time), Sunday March 7
Bulls, Pretoria, 4.05am (NZ time), Sunday March 14
Sharks, Dunedin, 7.35pm, Saturday March 20
Lions, Dunedin, 7.35pm, Friday March 26
Chiefs, Mt Maunganui, 7.35pm, Saturday April 3
Force, Queenstown, 2.30pm, Saturday April 10
Byev Hurricanes, Dunedin, 7.35pm, Saturday April 24
Waratahs, Invercargill, 7.35pm, Friday April 30
Brumbies, Canberra, 9.40pm (NZ time), Saturday May 8
Reds, Brisbane, 9.40pm (NZ time), Saturday May 15.
